~ ... what I have been doing in my little art studio ~

Saturday, March 01, 2014

... I mentioned before that my media of choice for drawing has been graphite and ink. However, I am in the process of learning, with the help of many books & videos, how to paint with watercolor; eventually I want to also learn about acrylic and Gouache.

I bought various sizes of canvas panels and boards . The surface of the canvas had been primed with gesso (primer used before painting) for acrylic and oil painting. When I bought the canvas I was unaware that watercolor paint could not be used on this surface. I went to a local art store to buy some watercolor canvas and I explained to the sales guy that I mistakenly bought the wrong type to canvas. He recommended a product, an absorbent ground, that I could use to re-prime the gessoed surface to prep for watercolors, ink and other media ... this is what I had to buy ... for optimal absorbency I have to apply 5-6 coats... I am on the 5th coat.

I created a color chart with the watercolor's that I have on hand to use as a reference, and to see how the paints look when applied & dried

I experimented a little with watercolor on paper, here are some samples ... I have to practice more on the kiwi ... as you can see I have room to grow, but I am enjoying this. I hope to share a completed work on one of the canvases that I have prepared soon!

DIXIEDOODLEDEAN
Your beginning experiments with watercolor are very good. The cherries and flower have wonderful expression and I love the kiwi...Even the apple has character that feeds the eye. Keep up your adventures in art. 1301 days ago